Michael Woods v. Jackson and C. Bishop

Summary

The United States District Court for the Southern District of Indiana partially grants Defendants' second motion for a protective order concerning two Indiana Department of Correction restricted-housing post-order documents. The Court finds good cause to restrict access to security-sensitive information but requires Defendants to provide Plaintiff supervised, confidential-view-only access to specified redacted portions relevant to his claims regarding hygiene items, water, and religious materials. The Order is entered in Michael Woods's civil-rights action against Jackson and C. Bishop.

Holdings

1. Defendants established good cause to limit Plaintiff's access to portions of the post orders because the documents contained confidential prison-security information, including details concerning cell inspections and related procedures.
2. The protective order should be limited rather than applied to the entirety of the post orders; Defendants must provide redacted versions containing specified relevant portions, subject to confidential-view-only access, supervision, nondissemination restrictions, and an acknowledgment of the governing terms.

Questions Presented

1. Whether Defendants established good cause under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 26(c) to restrict Plaintiff's access to the 2023 and 2024 restricted-housing-unit post orders.
2. Whether a protective order should cover the entirety of the post orders or instead be tailored through redaction and conditions governing Plaintiff's access.

Disposition

other